KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — Teoh Beng Hock may have been buried today but the calls for the formation of a royal commission of inquiry to investigate his death have only become louder.
Amnesty International Malaysia, in a statement today, urged the government to investigate all cases of deaths in custody.
“Cases of death in custody are illustrative of wider patterns of breakdowns in procedural and supervisory safeguards ensuring adequate health care and the prevention of ill-treatment or torture,” said its executive director Nora Murat.
She also called on the government to legislate a Coroner’s Act in line with the recommendation made by a Parliamentary Select Committee in 2006, to facilitate the investigation of death in custody case.
“The current incidents have undermined public confidence in these agencies and it is critical for the government to strictly uphold human rights and professionalism in law enforcement initiatives in order to restore the public confidence,” said Nora.
“Amnesty International Malaysia further calls on the Malaysian government to enforce strict human rights compliance in all public service and law enforcement initiatives in a transparent and credible manner,” she added.
Gerakan Youth, in a separate statement, hoped the Cabinet would agree to the formation of the royal commission.
“Teoh’s family, as well as the public in general, needs an assurance from the government to have a fair and transparent investigation into the case. They want the truth to prevail,” said its chief Lim Si Pin.
He urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to be impartial in performing its duties.
“For instance, MACC should investigate a complaint irrespective of whether the complaint is filed against someone in the government or in the opposition,” Lim added.
Teoh, who was found dead outside Selangor MACC headquarters on July 16, was interrogated by the commission as a part of the investigations into state lawmakers for alleged misuse of public funds.
Teoh was a political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Han Hian Wah, who was among those being investigated.
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Royalty... we know whose side it is on. Take a look at Perak.